PhD Opportunity

PhD opportunity: Public health impact of driving participation for young adults who use bioptics for driving: safety, value, and policy.

• Discipline and research background: Health Sciences (Honours 1 equivalent) including Allied Health (Occupational Therapy), Optometry, Orthoptics, Public Health, Ophthalmology

Project Synopsis

• This PhD project is a comprehensive body of work including a systematic review of international evidence for the safety for bioptic driving, policy, stakeholder mapping and original research to quantify the value of driving participation.
• The PhD candidate will be supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in driving, vision impairment, public health and research, including optometrists, ophthalmologists, academics and a health economist.
• This opportunity will significantly enhance our understanding of the mobility needs and quality of life of Australians with vision loss, inform on National Disability Insurance funding schemes and provide evidence which can inform national driving guidelines.
• The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to build collaboration with experts in driving and vision loss, and with the NTC and Austroads.
• The project has funding support from patients with lived experience of bioptic driving.

Project Team

The core supervisory team are in the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW and will include Prof Lisa Keay, Dr Sharon Oberstein, Dr Sheela Kumaran. The project is also supported by a wider supervisory panel to bring together expertise in road safety, genetic eye disease, vision loss, and health economics and includes Prof John Grigg (USYD), Prof Joanne Wood (QUT), Dr Jade Chang (USYD)

Applicant’s discipline and research background

Background in Health Sciences (Honours 1 equivalent) including Allied Health (Occupational Therapy), Optometry, Orthoptics, Public Health, Ophthalmology

Available Scholarship Funding Sources:

Applicants will be supported to apply for external scholarships through the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship worth $35,000 per annum for 3.5 years (tax exempt). Project funds are available to support this level of scholarship with possibility of Top-up Scholarship worth $10,000 per annum (tax exempt) with up to $5,000 professional development support.

Eligibility

To find out if you are eligible for the PhD program and Scholarship application process, please complete the following online form, making sure you upload all the requested and required documentation. https://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/form/higher-degree-research-expressio

Closing Date: Apply now to start 2023/2024. Applications for Scholarships close on Monday 4 September at 11:59pm (AEST).

For more information contact: s.oberstein@unsw.edu.au